From Wits' End to John O'Groats
A Journey by Les Roberts
by
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1. “What is it about an extreme that makes it so fascinating? Beginnings, ends, firsts, lasts, mosts, leasts all seem to generate intrigue and attract special status even when the subject, in all other respects, is barely worthy of note. So it is with the two places that are furthest away from each other on the British mainland. In the far southwest, Land’s End is undeniably a dramatic stretch of coastline but it is not outstanding. I would be surprised if there are not many other equally, if not more, impressive locations to be found even within Cornwall. At the northern extremity lies John O’Groats, which, if I describe it as a loose cluster of buildings in the top right hand corner of Caithness, I might still be accused of “larging it up”. Yet, because of where they are situated, both these places enjoy broad recognition and acclaim.”
2. “I got involved with bikes when I was 14 … I found it [watching cycle racing] enthralling; the bright colours, the expensive Italian and French bikes and equipment, the distinctive ‘ping’ of rock-hard tubular racing tyres on tarmac and the evocative aroma of horse liniment. This was for me: I was hooked”
3. “… as part of my ongoing massage studies … I came across descriptions of some common neurological conditions. It was chilling reading; I could tick so many of the boxes.”
4. "Our journey north into Tayside saw us passing through places with great names that sounded like characters from a Mervyn Peake story – Yetts O’Muckhart, Findo Gask, Fowlis Wester and Moneydie. I ... tried to envisage the type of character Peake might have created for each one but decided to save that for a rainy day. I didn’t have to wait long for one of those ... "
5. “Crask must be one of the remotest habitations in Britain … it comprises two buildings … the 19th century inn itself … and … a cottage-type place that accommodates up to 10 people. From the outside this dwelling looks like an agricultural shed and outhouse surrounded by bog and assorted bucolic detritus. The inside is nowhere near as nice.”
6. “ Le velo c’est la souffrance' is a popular French adage that, during my worst moments, I kept repeating to myself. I found this helped providing I alternated it with an old British cry along the lines of, “Sod the French” although what I actually said was more alliterative.”
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About the Book
"If this thing insists on moving in with me then it's going to be on my bloody terms". This defiant promise was made 16 years ago on the day that it was confirmed that Les Roberts had Parkinson's disease. In the summer of 2008 he would put this proclamation to its toughest test. For Les, a runner who had won the Masters 5,000 metres World Championship in 1985, and cyclist who had earlier competed successfully at senior level, riding from Land's End to John O'Groats in 12 days would be a real challenge – particularly at the age of 64. This book is Les's account of the highs and lows of what would be a journey of determination and re-discovery. Part travelogue, part cyclist's tale and part memoire, it is a story of courage, endeavour - and some very memorable puddings!
About the Author
Les Roberts is retired and lives in Keston in the London Borough of Bromley. Apart from getting out on his bike as often as he can, he remains closely associated with the activities of Blackheath and Bromley Harriers Athletic Club. He was their President in 2007. Les has enjoyed a lifetime of athletic pursuits, training and competing, firstly in cycle racing,where he featured prominently at regional level, and then running, where he established himself in the successful Blackheath Harriers Track and Field team of the 1980s before going on to become the World Masters 5000m Champion in 1985. Being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1993 wasn't, of course, part of his grand plan but he has seemingly embraced this as a new opportunity to confront new challenges. Determined not to let it get the better of him, Les has kept very active satisfying his need for athletic expression by returning to cycling. In the summer of 2008, in order to raise funds for the The Cure Parkinson's Trust, he took on the challenge of riding his bike from Land's End to John O'Groats. This book, his first, represents an outlet for expressing his slant on that confrontation and events leading up to it.